Ascent of Mount Monroe on 2013-03-09

Ascent Trip Report

I went up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, and then went out-and-back to Mount Monroe. After that, I took the Crawford Path up Mt. Washington, and next followed the Gulfside Trail to the Mt. Clay Loop. After that loop, I returned south on the Gulfside Trail and then descended along the Jewell Trail back to my starting point.

It was only 10 degrees F at the trailhead, and once I reached Mt. Monroe, I was feeling the cold wind, but it helped cool me off following the vigorous ascent. I soaked in the views for at least ten minutes on this crystal clear sunny day. I've had bad luck with low clouds on all of my recent mountain hikes (until today), and it had been months since I've enjoyed a 360 degree view anywhere in the White Mountains.

I began feeling the full force of the winds after climbing Washington and continuing down the other side on the Gulfside Trail. I had to put on my down jacket, which I seldom need to wear while I'm continuously moving. I felt warm enough to cross the ridge of Mt. Clay. I had to endure the powerful winds, but I found that this was an interesting vantage point for up-close views of Washington on one side, and the North Presidentials on the other. I also enjoyed the view deep down into Great Gulf.

After traversing Mt. Clay, I briefly considered tacking on Mt. Jefferson, but decided to stick to the original plan, and head over to the Jewell Trail, and begin my descent. I noticed a big temperature swing on my way down the Jewell Trail, as it warmed to almost 50 degrees at the base of the mountain, 40 degrees warmer by noon than it was early in the day when I started. This warming also caused some sticky snow conditions along the Jewell Trail, which added to the difficulty of the decent, a little bit.